Continued from March/April 2023
Webcam page with links to LotL Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve FB, Twitter and Blogs >>>
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/
For the latest 'live' YouTube link, visit >>> SWT YT Channel
The Osprey Protection Programme at Loch of the Lowes is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
All captures and videos ©Scottish Wildlife Trust/Loch of the Lowes
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NC0 surprised us all when she arrived back at Lowes first, with Laddie making his initial landing exactly 6 hours later. She laid her three beautiful eggs after almost near-perfect, precise intervals of 72 hours between each one. Both Laddie and NC0 have regularly exchanged incubation duties and have been very attentive to protect their eggs, and nest, from multiple intrusions during April. The hatching window will open around the 10th May, all being well.
Nest Updates
Arrival dates: NC0 - 17.3.23 (07:43) Laddie - 17.3.23 (13:43)
Eggs laid: Egg #1 - 4.4.23 (09:32) Egg #2 - 7.4.23 (09:39) Egg #3 - 10.4.23 (09:10)
Hatch dates: Chick #1 - 13.5.23 (11:59 fully out of shell 12:11) Chick #2 - 16.5.23 (04:19) *Egg #1 - DNH*
Link to blogs and updates during March/April
May Blogs and Updates (published dates)
6.5.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 7
8.5.23 SWT video >>> Time for a Wing Stretch and Pre-Hatching Egg Close Up
11.5.23 LotL blog >>> Who’s Been On My Nest? A Closer Look at the Threats and Intrusions Faced by a Pair of Breeding Ospreys
12.5.23 SWT video >>> Osprey Chick Communicates with the Outside World
13.5.23 LotL blog >>>Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 8
13.5.23 SWT video >>> First Osprey Chick of the Season Hatches
14.5.23 LotL blog >>> Concern over male osprey, LM12
15.5.23 SWT video >>> Fish Supper and First Feed for Osprey Chick
16.5.23 LotL blog >>> An update from the osprey nest
17.5.23 SWT video >>> Second osprey chick hatching 16 May 23
20.5.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at the Loch of the Lowes – Week 9
27.5.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 10
Laddie was back at 8:08 and made an attempt to take the fish - NC0 vocalised
She rose to take the fish from him
Laddie began to chip
Laddie headed off
NC0 fed the chicks
Feed over at 8:18
Laddie returned at 8:29 and took the fish off to have his breakfish
Will do another catch up a bit later. BFN
©SWT/LotL
Laddie returned with the fish at 9:40
NC0 completed another feed which, for the most part, was blocked by Laddie!
The chicks had already turned away by the time NC0 stepped away from the fish at 9:48, after eating a few more bits for herself, of course
NC0 commenced another feed at 10:50 - neither chick appeared to be overly hungry and but did take a few bites
She did ensure the chicks were full by testing their beaks before brooding at 11:02
At 11:52, NC0 attempted another feed. Although both chicks did rouse for it initially, they appeared not to want much at all. NC0 ate for herself.
Aww, look at #2 all curled up!
NC0 tried again at 12:07 - a little bit more success this time when the chicks took some of the fish that was offered
NC0 left the fish close to the nest cup a she headed off for a comfort break at 12:13
NC0 moved the grass from the nest cup before brooding
TBC
NC0 was almost force feeding the chicks at 12:48, bless her! lol
She made a few what sounded like human intruder alarm calls at 12:57
She also looked skyward on a few occasions
All appeared ok as she discarded the remaining fish tail (from her left talons) and settled to brood - though still being wary
More, what sounded like, human alarm calls? at 13:11
She was quite unsettled - I wonder what was bothering her?
NC0 appeared to be much more relaxed at 13:27ish
14:10 Another feed for the chicks from some of the remaining fish
No takers here
"Oh, alright mum!"
After offering more, and neither chick interested, NC0 flicked the small, remaining end of the fish onto the sticks at the back of the nest
More to follow...
Laddie came to the nest at 14:55 and found the end of the fish. He began to eat
NC0 was soon up, vocalising!
She took it from him
Off he went
There wasn't much interest from the chicks with eating initially
Eventually, #2 agreed to take some more
Then, after #2 had turned away (look at its crop!), #1 took some more bites
Laddie was on the nest at 15:00 when NC0 finally swallowed the fish tail from this morning's 7:34 fish
NC0 swallowing it here
Laddie did a crop drop...
...made a couple of contact calls before he flew off from the nest at 15:25 - NC0 was calling for more fish
NC0 remained brooding the chicks - Laddie didn't return.
17:35 After giving the chicks some fresh air, she preened and then headed off for a comfort break
Just perfect!
More preening before settling to brood at 17:42
NC0 currently at 18:30
Laddie flew from beyond the birch to deliver a small, whole fish at 18:40
Both chicks were up and ready for another feed. Pleased to see that Laddie had a full crop so must have eaten a meal before catching this one for his family
#2 was fish begging as this piece went to #1
Laddie left the nest just before 18:42
After a few more bites for #1, #2 finally got its first piece from this feed
And another (it continued along with #1 being fed too)
18:50 #2 turned away from the feed
#1, whose crop was huge, still accepted more from NC0
At 18:52, #1 turned away (its crop resting over #2's head). NC0 had a couple more bites for herself before releasing her grip on the remainder to settle on the chicks
19:25 NC0 spied the tail end of the fish and dragged it from its position
She stood up and took it to the left edge of the nest
More for #2
#1 stood up but only to do a PS - it crop was very full
NC0 continued with #2's private feeding
She swallowed the fish tail at 19:31
Gosh, they've eaten well today!
NC0 went off for a comfort break at 20:06, she had been fish calling prior to leaving. #1 on the right
She called for fish again
Then settled on the chicks
21:02 NC0, at present, quietly brooding
22:07 Peek-a-boo!
22:36 Bless her...
22:41 Night cam came on
A quick comfort break at 23:15
She wasn't gone for long at all
23:17 Rest well NC0 and little ones, see you in the morning
Morning All A great start to a beautiful morning at Lowes - a large, headless fish delivered at 6:36
#1 received the first bite
Then #2
Two fully satisfied chicks when NC0 stepped away from the fish at 6:49
Good morning.
I took it into my head to do a little vid of early morning flyabouts - the gaps have been shortened (and I haven't put a caption on to that effect, therefore the vid is Unlisted so's not to mislead YT watchers).
IMAGICAT
Hi Scylla,
Aww, thanks for the vid!
7:33 Laddie to the nest to collect the fish, NC0 on alert
Laddie chipped
Flapped his wings
Knowing Laddie had any possible threat covered, NC0 rose from the chicks to take the fish from Laddie
#2 received some fish
#1
The feed continued. Laddie flew off at 7:39
Feed over at 7:41, I think the chicks had eaten enough! NC0 walked away from the fish
8:04 NC0 brooding, fish remains on the nest
BFN